Top Ten Ways To Stay Safe From Crime When Your Husband is TDY

If you are a military wife, you are familiar with the concept of Temporary Duty, or known in military circles as TDY. Your husband is called away from home for weeks or even months. You are alone and your chance of being a victim of crime has just doubled. There are many steps you can take to reduce the chance of becoming a victim of crime. Some more significant than others.

1. Educate your family and yourself on security.Continuously educate your family through safety programs and other available resources. Gauge how they will react in certain situations. Resources are vast, they include local law enforcement, newspapers, magazines and internet resources. Also, teach them how to escape and get help.

2. Make sure trusted neighbors know your situation.Neighbors are a great resource in time of separation. They can keep an eye on your home and let you know if something is not right. Elderly neighbors are especially effective. Most of them are home a lot and tend to have keen observation skills. The key is to make sure you are completely comfortable with them. It is vital that you are able to trust the ones you will depend on.

3. Do not broadcast that you husband is away.There maybe a tendency to want to let as many as possible know that you are alone.This is no time to be a "Chatty Kathy." The more people who know you are alone; the greater your chances of becoming a victim of crime. Although a trying time, you must try to maintain an appearance of normalcy.

4. Periodically check your home for security.Go through your home looking for security deficiencies. Check locks, lights, points of entry and reinforce perimeters. Do this before you husband leaves and periodically while he is gone.

5. Be aware of your surroundings.You should always be aware of your environment. Know who is living near you. Notice when things are out of place. For example a car that has been sitting on the corner 3 days in a row. Observe activities going on in your neighborhood. Scan the outside of your home as you approach.

6. Have different items that can be use for protection in your car and home and on your person.There are numerous items around the home that can be used as weapons . If you look closely just about everything can be used. The key is having these items in different places throughout the home. You may be able to place the element of surprise in your favor if there is a problem. Many people are not comfortable with firearms, so it is necessary to have other tools and know how you are going to use them.

7. Vary your schedule.Criminals love easy targets. Nothing says I am not aware more than doing the same things at exactly the same time everyday. Your routine can become your enemy. Leave home at different times as much as possible. Take a different route home if safe to do so. Carpool with a trusted friend.

8. Have a duress word or phrase.A Duress word is a word or phrase that you have preplanned with trusted friends or neighbors to use if you are in trouble. For example if you want to let someone know that you are a hostage, you might say I will be Glad when Bill comes Home if your husbands name is Gary. The key to the Duress system is preplanning and secrecy.

9. Do not leave messages on the answering machine that might indicate you are alone. How many times have you called a friend and heard, we are out of town please leave a message and we will return your call. This is devastating to security. A would be criminal has all the information they need to make you a victim. The standard, "we are unavailable to take your call recorded in your husbands voice is much better.

10. Have noise coming from your home all the time.Noise gives the perception that your home is occupied. Lots of people do this by owning a dog. But not everyone wants the responsibility or cost associated with dog ownership. Fortunately, there are other ways to keep the noise going. Let the radio or TV play when you are away. Invite family to live with you for a time. They usually bring lots of noise.